A goal programming model for the operation of closed-loop supply chains

The implementation of closed-loop supply chains to handle the problem of increasing levels of electronic and electrical equipment waste can be beneficial both economically and ecologically. Three different problem analysis techniques – why-what's stopping analysis, fundamental objective hierarchy, and means objective network – are used to analyse the problem from various perspectives. A non-preemptive goal-programming model and solution approach have also been developed, with goals being assigned different weights according to the respective goal priorities. The model considers multiple products, as well as operations associated with the product, subassembly, part, and material levels. A major contribution of the research involves the fact that the objectives and related constraints for each member of the supply chain are explicitly modeled. The results of the analysis show both the effect of varying the priority/weight associated with a goal, and how the values of the deviational variables can aid a decision maker in model analysis.